For a geologist, becoming agoraphobic must have come as a shock. But fear of open spaces is only one of the symptoms of the comorbid anxiety and depression that Kristen, a PhD candidate in geology at University of Melbourne, had to confront when her life changed dramatically last year.

Together with panic attacks and a newly acquired stutter, her reluctance to leave home forced Kristen to take an unplanned break from her studies. She was referred to WISE’s Personal Support Programme (PSP) and has recently completed a Depression Workshop. Kristen says it has been instrumental in helping her overcome her illness and discovering more about herself. “It has given me back my self-confidence,” she explains. “The social aspect was really good too. Even though I had friends and family I still felt isolated. In the workshop you’re surrounded by people who understand what you’re going through.”

As Kristen recovers she is still amazed by the fact that a program like the WISE PSP was available to her. “I couldn’t work because I couldn’t talk, and I couldn’t get my scholarship,” she explains. The PSP has allowed her the time to seek lasting solutions to her illness and approach life with renewed optimism. She is looking forward to returning to study soon and completing her degree next year, something she couldn’t have imagined six months ago.

This story has been taken from WISE's 2009 Annual Review calendar. If you would like a copy of the calendar, please contact the Public Relations team on 03 8329 8800.